-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Should a sporting event be allowed to continue if a key participant dies during competition ?

Golf 's European Tour insisted it should be following the death of Alastair Forsyth 's caddie Iain McGregor on the final day of the Madeira Islands Open Sunday .

Known affectionately as Mac by his friends , McGregor collapsed on the fairway with a suspected heart attack as Forsyth was playing the ninth hole -- the last of his round -- and was later pronounced dead .

After an initial indefinite suspension of play , and discussions with a number of players and caddies , the European Tour decided the tournament should be completed .

`` Everyone at the European Tour extends our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Iain at this time , '' read a European Tour statement .

`` Following consultation with the players and caddies involved , however , it has been decided that play should continue and the tournament should finish . ''

Forsyth , who revealed the 52-year-old Zimbabwean 's death was one of the toughest experiences he has ever had to deal with , backed the European Tour 's decision , insisting McGregor would have expected the show to go on .

`` Everybody is in shock . To see that happen to someone in front of your eyes -- I do n't know how or when you get over that , '' Forsyth told the European Tour 's official website .

`` Myself and playing partners Adam -LRB- Gee -RRB- and Tano -LRB- Goya -RRB- met tournament officials and spoke to -LRB- European Tour chief executive -RRB- George O'Grady on the phone before taking the decision to play on , because we felt that was what Mac would have wanted . ''

Forsyth went on to pay a glowing tribute to a friend and colleague that leaves behind a daughter .

`` He was a guy I 've known for 15 years and was very popular amongst the caddies . Obviously my thoughts go out to his family at this time . For something like this to happen so suddenly is so sad , '' he said .

`` He 's was far too young for this to happen . He was the life and soul of the caddies ' lounge and a nice guy who will be sorely missed . I 'm absolutely numb . ''

But while Forsyth welcomed the European Tour 's decision to play on , it was a move that did not prove to be a unanimous one among the Scot 's peers , with Sweden 's Joel Sjoholm , who had previously worked with the caddie , leading the way , expressing his disbelief that the event had continued .

Sjoholm 's state of shock and disbelief was shared by many .

Prior to McGregor 's collapse , the tournament had been reduced to 36 holes due to adverse weather conditions .

Daniel Brooks eventually went on to claim the Madeira Islands Open title , beating Scott Henry in a playoff at the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra .

Brooks , however , was unable to bask in the glory of his maiden European Tour win , given the day 's tragic events that had occurred earlier in the afternoon .

`` It 's great to get a win , but it 's not nice to do it in these circumstances , '' he told the European Tour 's official website .

`` It 's horrible what happened out there so my condolences go out to all of his family . ''

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Caddie Iain McGregor dies after suspected heart attack at Madeira Islands Open

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European Tour decides tournament should be completed

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A number of golf players angered by European Tour 's decision to finish play